ANDERSON, Ind. (April 17, 2014)—The Madison County office of the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) is always looking for adults with a strong desire to invest in the future. These potential foster parents are selfless caregivers willing to provide temporary supervision and stability for children during a challenging time in the children’s lives. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Madison County DCS office is taking advantage of this heightened awareness to schedule a short informational meeting for prospective foster parents. The meeting will be Tuesday, April 29 at the Anderson Public Library.

“We believe the best place for children to be raised is with their families if they are able to provide a safe, nurturing environment,” said Karen Blessinger, director of the Madison County DCS office. “When this is not the case, DCS attempts to locate appropriate relatives. However, if this is not possible, we need good homes to provide a safe place for the children to stay. We need local homes to help these children remain in their same schools and maintain their essential connections.”

Foster parents can be stay-at-home parents or they can work outside the home. They may rent or own their own house, apartment or condominium, as long as it meets safety standards. Besides providing food and shelter, they assist with practical needs like helping with visits with the child’s family, taking them to any needed therapy sessions, medical and other appointments and ensuring there are extra-curricular activities.

Local foster parents are especially needed so school-age children removed from their homes can continue to attend their own school and maintain contact with their friends. Those willing to foster teenagers or sibling groups are particularly desired.

The April 29 informational meeting will take place from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Anderson Public Library, 111 E. 12th St. in Anderson. Foster care specialists from the Madison County DCS office will be available to discuss foster parent responsibilities as well as the licensing process, including the home study. A licensed foster parent will also be on hand to answer questions. The meeting will be an open house style event so prospective foster parents may come and go as they please. A willingness to step up and help a child in need is the most important prerequisite for becoming a foster parent.

In addition, adoption specialists will be on hand to answer foster care adoption questions.

There are nearly 4,900 abused or neglected Hoosier children currently living in non-relative foster homes because it is unsafe for them to live in their own homes. In Madison County, 161 abused or neglected children live in foster homes.

About Indiana Department of Child Services:
DCS is committed to protecting children who are victims of abuse or neglect. The agency's primary goal is to safely keep these children at home with their families by offering appropriate support services. It also manages the child support bureau. Indiana Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 800.800.5556. www.in.gov/dcs

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